Body

"provider helping a patient"Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry or rehabilitation medicine, aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

A physician trained in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. Unlike other medical specialties that focus on a medical “cure,” the goals of the physiatrist are to maximize patients’ independence in activities of daily living and improve quality of life.

We provide rehabilitation services to adult patients with acute or chronic musculoskeletal or neurological conditions in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Goals of treatment

  • Maximize independence with daily living activities.
  • Decrease Pain.
  • Enhance performance and functionality to improve a patient's quality of life without surgical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Garnet Health Medical Center, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists can treat adult patients with acute or chronic musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.

PM&R physicians work collaboratively with neurologists, orthopedists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists, and primary care physicians to look at the “big picture” of improving function. 

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists can provide the following procedures and services, including:

  • Joint injections as well as well as soft tissue injections to address acute and chronic musculoskeletal
  • Physical therapy/Occupational therapy/Speech therapy
  • Bracing and prosthetic management
  • Trigger point injections
  • Spasticity management
  • Injections for migraine management

Like other physicians, physical medicine and rehabilitation providers also prescribe medications for many issues, including muscle and nerve problems, attention and memory problems, and pain. Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians also prescribe braces/splints to improve arm or leg position or function, and prosthetics for limb loss.

We also prescribe equipment such as wheelchairs, standers, walkers, bath benches, lifts, etc. that enable caregivers and patients to move or be cared for more safely.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists are trained to utilize laboratory testing, X-rays, MRI or CT scans, electromyography (EMG) nerve conduction studies as well as therapy prescriptions

Rehabilitation is the process of helping a person achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. Rehab does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or injury, but rather helps restore the person to optimal health, functioning, and well-being as well as maintain current function and provide preventive recommendations.

Physiatrists can practice in both an inpatient or outpatient setting. Inpatient physiatrists provide services in a hospital or free standing standing rehab facility, providing oversight for acute injury patients with ongoing medical complications.